Samsung forum: VERY Unusual problem with my LN46A550 TV

(My system consists of the TV (LN46A550), and a Panasonic DVD recorder, and Panasonic Home Theater in a Box. The Samsung TV is the only change to the system)

I have the on board speaker turned off on the TV so that I can use the much better sound from my Panasonic HTIB. That is how it has always been, with two previous TVs.

I have no cable. Just rabbit ears. I get all local channels without much problem, other than tweaking the antenna occasionally.

BUT I have a very strange audio problem with my TV (LN46A550).

On two channels, both major network affiliates, and only on those channels, the sound switches to an echo chamber effect under very specific circumstances.

When the broadcast goes to commercial, or switches between local and network broadcast the sound is like an echo chamber. If I momentarily click to another channel, and then back, the sound it restored to normal.

If I watch programs using the DVD recorder's tuner, this does not happen.

I called Tech Support, and was told that unless the problem was on all Channels, it was not the fault of the TV. I asked whether or not there might be a software update for my TV, and the tech said that if I updated the software I would void my TV's Warrantee!!! He was NOT helpful at all.

Anyone have a clue what might be causing this? All feedback gratefully recieved

Are there any surround sound settings on your receiver that are turned on? If so, try turning them off.

Also, are you using the optical out? If so, try using the RCA jacks instead. It could be that the changes in the feeds you talk about might be causing a switch from 5.1 surround to 2 channel stereo, or some other type of glitch in the audio stream on the optical out, confusing the receiver. (Something that might be interesting to try, get the TV in it's echo mode, then turn the receiver off and back on (or change sources on the receiver) and see if it fixes the issue.)

Also, make sure you don't have any "entertainment" mode set (menu, setup, entertainment), although I don't think it would have any affect on the sound when you the the internal speakers off).

I have experienced a similar problem in the past and it is usually because I have inadvertently set the surround sound dolby digital to ON at the receiver. Haven't noticed it with Samsung Televisions form TVS TELEVISIONS ONLINE

I've had this happen on a handful of ocassions, with headphones connected directly to the LN46A550 while receiving OTA broadcasts, so it has nothing to do with external equipment. The headphones made it easy to tell that the left and right audio fall out of sync resulting in that "echo" effect. It seems the only way to get back in sync is to change the channel and switch it back. Software is 1008.0.

I've read this thread this evening. Just wanted to chime in and note that updating the firmware does not void the warranty. I apologize that this message was given to you, but upgrading your television is something that we've designed for the customer to do. I regret this kind of message was conveyed, but we will stand behind the product warranty, and specifically with firmware updates.

I was quite sure that what he said was absolute b*llsh*t, but I was not about to argue with him.

The question that remains, is how do I find out if there IS an update available for my TV? That was what I called Tech support to find out. But the tech I spoke to was clearly not going to give that information to me. Maybe he did not know the answer?!?!

If you can direct me, I would be grateful, and thanks for the feedback.

Second, please forgive the delay in feedback. I have been called away on urgent family business, and have only just returned. Now I need to get a memory stick and proceed. I will definitely let you know what progress, if any, I get from the update.

"Was the echo effect only on specific channels? Or was it widespread?"

It has only occurred on a handful of occasions, and I only have specific recall of it occurring on the ABC affiliate, KGO, though it has occurred on other stations. On the occasions when I was paying attention, I also noted that the loss of sync occurred at the moment of transition to a commercial. I have never observed the problem with either of two DTV converter boxes I am using on older TVs.

"When not using headphones, are you using the TV's speakers? Or Using a receiver, as I am?"

Either. Depends upon which is the least annoying at the time: either the atrociously bad audio quality of the TV's built-in speakers, or the need to use a separate remote to control the receiver's volume. (Clearly audio was an afterthought when Samsung designed this model.)

And I share your multiple remote woes. In my case I have 3 to juggle. I tried one of the Logitech Harmony remotes, which claim to be so simple to program. Returned it after about ten days of frustration.)

I appreciate your feedback, which seems to suggest this is indeed a very random occurrence.

I am having the same problem with my LN46A550. I do not have a cable box (the cable plugs directly into my TV) I am using a Philips HTS8100 sound bar. TV's sound- RCA out goes to the sound bar RCA in(sound always seems to be in sync with tv's internal speakers) If I jump back and forth between different stations it "seems" to resync the sound.(oh yeah and hold my left foot up in the air)I dont know if this is a Sound Bar issue or the TV's problem??I was thinking about going from the LN46A550 Digital optical out to the sound bars RCA digital in (have to use a converter) but if it wont help i dont want to spend the money?Have you had any success in figuring out whats wrong?

I am having the same issue with my ln40a550. i also get weird occasional clicking sounds that are not coming through the speakers, just from the tv. i am afraid that because the problems happen only occasionally, the repair guys won't be able to figure it out. have you had any luck with the warranty?

I have not pursued it for the same reason. If the problem does not occur during a repair visit I am concerned that not only will it not get fixed, but that I might end up having to pay for a house call, which I very seriously can not afford.

I hope the person from Samsung is still monitoring this issue. Perhaps a pattern will finally appear to exist and something gets done.

I am watching these threads, and looking for other occurences as well. It's not that I don't think this is an important issue, it's just that I don't know if the problem is located in one area, or that broadcaster is having an issue.

That said, if you unit is under warranty, I don't believe it is standard practice to charge the customer for a technician when a warranty is in play. So if they find nothing wrong, I believe they walk away and you're not out anything. That said, while I work with service, I can't speak for them.

But if your fear is that they might not find something and bill you for it, I don't believe that's how it works under warranty.

It sounds as though you and I have a similar problem. I have a LN46A650 Samsung and while the sound is fine through the tv speakers and fine through my old marantz quad receiver, I run it in stereo mode with the speakers on either side of my couch to "fill in" the sound, when I run both together I also get an "echo chamber" effect. It almost sounds like I'm in a movie theatre. Muting the tv sound eliminates this effect and the stereo sounds as it should and as it did before when I had a Sharp Aquos instead of the samsung hooked up in the same arrangement. Alas, I have no solution to offer but am still trying things. Oh, it happens on all channels and dvds

The television speakers receive and decode a digital signal. The two speaker "outs" (RCA) on the rear of the television are transferred with an analog signal.

So what's happening here is that the digital signal is being sent the same time the analog signal is sent, except that the analog signal is delayed because it has to be converted from digital to analog.

If you believe this post is offensive or violates the CNET Forums' Usage policies, you can report it below (this will not automatically remove the post). Once reported, our moderators will be notified and the post will be reviewed.

Track this thread and email me when there are updates.Please read before posting

If you're asking for technical help, please be sure to include all your system info, including operating system, model number, and any other specifics related to the problem. Also please exercise your best judgment when posting in the forums--revealing personal information such as your e-mail address, telephone number, and address is not recommended.

Old Thread Warning!

This thread is more than days old. It is very likely that it does not need any further discussion and replying to it will serve no purpose. However, if you feel it is necessary to make a new reply, you can still do so.

I am aware that this thread is old, but I still want to post a reply.

Checkbox must be checked in order to post in this old thread.

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem generating the preview. Please try again.

Duplicate posts are not allowed in the forums. Please edit your post and submit again.